Fast food restaurant use among women in the Pound of Prevention study: dietary, behavioral and demographic correlates

OBJECTIVE: To examine demographic, behavioral and dietary correlates of fre quency of fast food restaurant use in a community-based sample of 891 adult women. DESIGN: A survey was administered at baseline and 3 y later as part of a ra ndomized, prospective intervention trial on weight gain prevention. SUBJECTS: Women (n = 891) aged 20-45 y who enrolled in the Pound of Prevent ion study. MEASUREMENTS: Frequency of fast food restaurant use, dietary intake, demogr aphic and behavioral measures were self-reported. Dietary intake was measur ed using the 60-item Block Food Frequency Questionnaire. Body weight and he ight were directly measured. RESULTS: Twenty-one percent of the sample reported eating greater than or e qual to 3 fast food meals per week. Frequency of fast food restaurant use w as associated with higher total energy intake, higher percentage fat energy , more frequent consumption of hamburgers, French fries and soft drinks, an d less frequent consumption of fiber and fruit. Frequency of fast food rest aurant use was higher among younger women, those with lower income, non-Whi te ethnicity, greater body weight, lower dietary restraint, fewer low-fat e ating behaviors, and greater television viewing. Over 3 y, increases in fre quency of fast food restaurant use were associated with increases in body w eight, total energy intake, percentage fat intake, intake of hamburgers, Fr ench fries and soft drinks, and with decreases in physical activity, dietar y restraint and low-fat eating behaviors. Intake of several other foods, in cluding fruits and vegetables, did not differ by frequency of fast food res taurant use. CONCLUSION: Frequency of fast food restaurant use is associated with higher energy and fat intake and greater body weight, and could be an important r isk factor for excess weight gain in the population.